Active complex plasmas

• Applicants: Privatdozent Dr. Alexei Ivlev; Professor Dr. Hartmut Löwen
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 401300566

The physics of microswimmers, which are active colloidal particles that self-propel in a liquid and dissipate energy while they move, represents a booming area of soft matter science. Here we focus on the complementary situation of "microflyers" in dilute gases, where energy dissipation is small but inertial effects become highly relevant. We propose to utilize the fact that individual microparticles in (quasi-)two-dimensional complex plasmas can be driven out of equilibrium in a controlled way. Such an approach enables realization of different classes of artificial microflyers and allows us to coin the term active complex plasmas for this novel domain of research. In this proposal, active complex plasmas will be modeled and classified; the underlying physical laws will be determined and the single-particle and collective behavior of microflyers will be identified by theory and computer simulations. In collaboration with experimental groups, the way will be paved to realize these artificial flyers at the micro-scale.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants